1970 MORRIS MINI COOPER S MKII

KEY FACTS

• Presented in good order thanks to prior restoration and refurbishment, this MkII Cooper S has some discerning modifications.
• Up front is a rebuilt ‘A+’ 1275cc inline-four engine driving the front wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. The engine is currently running twin 1.5” SU carburettors, CSI adjustable electronic ignition, and an open-road cam.
• Also included is a very well-tuned period 1275cc engine, bored-out to 1430cc, that has had many tuning enhancements by leading specialists, plus a rare Jack Knight five-speed straight-cut gearbox – which enables a fantastic alternative setup for fast road or track use.
• In current ownership for over 11 years and offered with a remarkable history file dating back to 1984.

EQUIPMENT AND OPTIONS

• Presented in vibrant Almond Green with a Snowberry White roof, the striking exterior is notable for its sliding windows, green tinted glass, and 13-inch Minilite wide wheels that give it a modern stance. The front grille is quick-release for ease of maintenance.
• This Cooper S is running AVO adjustable shock absorbers and a rear anti-roll bar, while a free-flowing LCB manifold is complemented by a big-bore Maniflow exhaust.
• The braking system has been uprated to include vented discs, four-piston callipers and a remote servo.
• This Mini’s headlamps have been converted to contemporary halogen units with LED side lights.
• The interior features black leather seats piped in green and Wood & Pickett period trim including tread-plates and chrome ‘fly-off’ handbrake. A modern stereo sits in the wooden dashboard. 
• This Cooper S also comes with an exceptionally rare set of split-rim, limited-edition Compomotive wheels, which the vendor believes are the only examples available on the market.

CONDITION

• Having been the subject of a well-documented restoration in the 1980s, this Cooper S presents very well which is testament to the quality of the work carried out. New sills and a rear subframe were fitted in the early 1990s, and the vendor had the front-end and wheel arch sections repainted in 2016 to address chipping.
• The Almond Green paintwork now looks very good throughout with only the odd stone blemish apparent. The brightwork are badging are in great shape.
• A regular programme of waxing to the underside has helped preserve the body, floors and subframes.
• The interior is also impressively presented with only modest wear and slight sagging to the seats, but no rips or tears. The carpets, door cards and dashboard are also in good order.
• Although understood to be exempt on the basis of age, the vehicle was MOT tested on 28 July 2020 at 30,687 miles when it received an advisory-free pass after the shock absorbers were secured.

SERVICE HISTORY

• At 29,500 miles the owner, a qualified mechanic, changed the oil and checked and cleaned the brakes. In his custody, the engine oil has always been refreshed every 5,000 miles or two years.
• In February 2018, at 27,400 miles, the current ‘A+’ engine was fitted after a rebuild to return the car to being a more relaxed road companion. The previous unit, which had been highly tuned in the 1990s, will come with the vehicle.

SUMMARY

The appeal of Alec Issigonis’ Mini endures, as a brilliant piece of packaging, not to mention a compact classic that is rewarding to drive. As an original Cooper S, this car also boasts impressive pace, and is even quicker than most thanks to its discerning upgrades. A great chance to own a late MkII 1275 that is both mechanically and cosmetically impressive; this Mini Cooper S would make a fun addition to any collection, ready to enjoy on the road or the track.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.